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Ex-Tewksbury employee pleads guilty to stealing from Rec. Dept.

LOWELL, Mass. (AP) - A former Tewksbury town employee has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $50,000 from the town's recreation department to support her drug habit.

Lauren Bibo Morris entered her plea in Lowell District Court on Thursday to larceny charges. Morris, the recreation center's former business manager, admitted in court to stealing more than $31,000 in 2009 and more than $20,000 in 2010. A complaint was brought forward in 2012.

Prosecutors say the 32-year-old Morris' actions stemmed from her drug addiction. Morris told police she needed the money to support her Oxycontin addiction and she would spend upward of $80 a pill for sometimes several pills a day.

The Sun reports the embezzlement scheme took place largely in the form of falsified summer camp registrations.

Morris' defense attorney had no comment.